Upgrade Build

[teancumtbh]

Before I dive in and build my own big system, I'm going to upgrade my existing PC for my son. Here are the current specs:

CPU: AMD Athlon(B) 3200+ @ 2.2GHz
MOTHERBOARD: ASUS P4G533
PSU: Antec Basiq 350W
VIDEO: GeForce MX440 8x AGP 64MB
MEMORY: 1GB Generic

The case is from an HP Pavilion a430n. It's got 2 optical drives, a 4x DVD Writer and a CD-ROM, which is utterly worthless IMO. The PC is almost 5 years old, and I'd like it to last as long as possible. According to my wife, I have a total budget of $200 to spend upgrading this. I spent $25 on another 512MB of memory to bring it to 1GB, and I spent $35 on the PSU, which leaves me with $140 to spend on the video card, motherboard, and CPU.

I don't know what the best way to spend the money would be. I could just go for the best video card that the system will handle as is, and forget the motherboard and CPU, or I could go with a less expensive video card and replace the motherboard and CPU.

What do you guys think? Any ideas on how I can get what I want for about $140?

 

[teancumtbh]

One more thing I forgot to ask. I have the XP backup discs that I made for my PC, but I don't know as they will install on a new motherboard. If not, then it doesn't make much sense to go with the full upgrade as I won't srping for a new OS.

 

[badge]

Just to let your know the Athlon 3200 2.2 can not be upgraded. You have the king of the Athlon socket A CPUs. You might upgrade the video card, but I certainly wouldn't spend $200 on an Athlon socket A. I'm running a 3200 I built years ago in the next room. I certainly wouldn't spend any money on it. You probably couldn't fidn a better MB than you have new. And Athlon socket A processors do not exist new. Maybe a Sempron. HTH.

 

[teancumtbh]

That's good to know. It's a good feeling to know I have the best of something...lol

 

[badge]

My 3200 still runs great. I use my 5950Ultra with it. I think maybe a better video card is all you can do with your system.

 

[teancumtbh]

So what's the best you can get for $140 that is still usable with this system? I'd like to be able to run at least Oblivion at decent settings.

 

[tlmck]

Just add this 7600GS video card. Not the fastest on the market, but it is light years ahead of the old one. It is also about as much as you are going to get with that PSU.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130076

 

[teancumtbh]

Awesome. My son will thank you.